As information is collected, it must be properly organized, categorized, and prioritized. High priority information then requires further study, analysis, and interpretation. Only after this selection, sifting, and interpretation process is complete does such "raw" information turn into valuable intelligence useful for homeland security defense and countermeasures.

A number of U.S. agencies are involved in such domestic information collection and analysis, include the well-known Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the U.S. Secret Service. But did you know that other federal agencies - such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and National Institutes of Health (NIH) - are also involved in this work?

Within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Office of Intelligence & Analysis (OIA) works to ensure that information gathered from all relevant DHS field operations; state, local, private sector and international partners; and other parts of the intelligence community are combined and analyzed into a common operational picture of emerging threats to national security.

The information analysis mission in the cause of homeland security is among the most vital and challenging, and requires some of the sharpest minds and diversified talents of any tasks involved with protecting and defending the American people and infrastructure.

Among the kinds of skills and talents required are those involving information technology and services; foreign languages; medical and environmental safety; and management security. Examples of some occupations include analytical chemist, cartographer, cryptanalyst, imagery analyst, and regional analyst.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); United States Intelligence Community

The Intelligence Community Careers section of the United States Intelligence Community (IC) Web site provides information for 17 careers (broad areas of work) involved in the business of intelligence. This section also contains additional links to a selection of Federal agency employment Web sites, including those for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Additional information on careers and employment with the various agencies under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is available on the DHS Web site, specifically, the DHS - Homeland Security Careers.

The best mistake of people looking for part time employment is getting the very first job they can bag. Of course, this seems practical (after all, how can one be so sure he or she will be able to get other part time jobs after that?)—but it isn’t. Part time jobs should be considered as serious employment and not just something you would do for the sake of earning money.